​​Twopenny Productions

Role-Play Talent for Law Enforcement and Related Training

Twopenny performs Colorado Bureau of Investigation background checks when requested.

​Eric Herrera

Eric's acting career spans 30 years, with roles on the Hollywood screen and in theater and documentary film. He is a musician proficient in many instruments, especially Native American flute. Eric’s heritage includes Blackfeet Indian, European Hispanic, and German. A veteran of the United States Air Force, Eric is also the founder and owner of Many Winds Music. He has been a role-player with Twopenny Productions since 2010.

Joe Wilson, Owner/Director

​Joe founded Twopenny Productions in 2008 after working as a CIT role-player with law enforcement agencies across Colorado. He has been a stage actor for over 30 years, appearing at many theaters in Colorado and Virginia. He has also recorded numerous audiobooks for the Library of Congress. Joe graduated with honors with a degree in theater performance from Longwood College (now Longwood University) in Virginia. While responsible for all aspects of Twopenny Productions, he finds the greatest reward in doing the scenario work with students/officers.

Lori Hansen

Lori  has acted professionally in Los Angeles, New York, Tokyo, Puerto Rico, Utah, and Colorado. She has been involved in simulation training since 2007 with law enforcement and the Colorado Child Welfare Training System. Lori is passionate about CIT and honored to work with first responders who put their lives on the line for us every day. Being able to do her part to keep officers and the public safe and get people in crisis the help they need is one of the most fulfilling accomplishments of her life.

Tara Spires

Tara has been working with Twopenny since 2023 and thoroughly enjoys participating in CIT work. She comes from the San Francisco Bay Area, where she earned an undergraduate degree and got heavily involved with improvisation as a performer. She also worked with the Medea Project: Theatre for Incarcerated Women and HIV Circle, a well-regarded rehabilitative theater program. Tara received her master in fine arts degree in theater: contemporary performance at Naropa University.

Twopenny's role-players bring years of experience in widely varied areas of professional performance, including stage acting, film and television, improvisational comedy, voiceover work, as musicians, and more. Many have multiple years of crisis intervention training (CIT) experience, and each actor must complete a ride-along with a sworn officer to achieve full status as a Twopenny actor. We train our actors in the philosophy of "coaching to success," with the primary objective being the student's learning and progress.

Latifah Johnson

Latifah is respected stage actor who has appeared in productions at multiple theaters in Denver and Atlanta. She finds CIT to be a good fit for her skills and an excellent opportunity to grow as an actor, as each CIT interaction she has can vary greatly depending on the individual she is in scenario with. Latifah values her work with Twopenny both because of her wonderful colleagues and because it provides first responders an opportunity to step back and rethink how they might elevate or even save someone’s life.

Cassie Williams

Cassie has been a role-player with Twopenny Productions since 2021. A professional actor, improviser, and musical theater performer, she helps create realistic training scenarios for law enforcement officers. She is also currently a performer at the iconic Casa Bonita restaurant and has performed throughout Colorado. Previously, Cassie toured internationally with Up with People and received her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Northern Colorado. She enjoys bringing authenticity and emotional depth to her work and is proud to contribute to meaningful training experiences.

Susan Knudten, Assistant Director

Susan has more than 15 years of experience as a role-player for CIT and trainings for social workers and medical students. Before this, she performed in more than 2,000 professional improvisational comedy shows over 20 years at a theater she founded and led. Susan is also a communications professional and has worked as a writer, editor, and communications strategist. She finds it incredibly interesting and worthwhile to be involved in the important work of CIT and thanks all first responders for your service and dedication to our community.

Joseph C. Wilson - Owner/operator.